Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Costly Discipleship

“One
day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and
told them, ‘Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother,
spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one’s own self!—can’t be my
disciple. Anyone who won’t shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can’t be
my disciple.’”—Luke 14:25-27, The Message

After I read this passage to my
Bible study class this past Sunday, I asked:
“OK. How many are ready to sign
up?” They all looked at me like I had
lost my mind. Who would be willing to put
his or her family second to Jesus? Even
more appropriate, who would be willing to follow the admonition to put your “own
self”—your prejudices, hopes, and personal goals—aside to follow Jesus? The word “hate” for the Jews meant to be
willing to detach oneself or put away something. Jesus is saying that you must value your
relationship with him over every other relationship, even your commitment to
your own ideas and comfort. You must
make Jesus your first priority.

This is not easy and that’s what
Jesus is emphasizing. At this point in
Luke’s Gospel, Jesus is “on a roll.” His
popularity is increasing and people are hanging on his every word whether they
understand him or not. “Yes, Jesus,
bring on the messianic feast. We are ready to celebrate.”

Jesus decides it is time to give everyone a dose of reality about what it
really means to be a disciple and to define the road that he and his disciples
will have to walk in the future. Jesus
talks about “carrying the cross” even before he has been asked to carry his own
cross. The people listening would have
been aware that those condemned to die by crucifixion had to carry the
instrument of their death—the crossbar of the cross—to their execution. This is a heavy burden to bear, not only physically
but emotionally. Death on the cross was
both painful and shameful.

Jesus is not painting a pretty
picture, and he has a very good reason.
He wants the crowd (and us) to realize that discipleship is not a matter
of convenience. The way to resurrection
leads through the cross. What do you
think their response was? What is your
response?

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About Me

I consider myself an itinerant educator. My time is spent in encouraging and equipping ministers through my work with the Central Baptist Seminary and Pinnacle Leadership Associates. I also do volunteer work with my church in the area of leader development. Other time is devoted to reading, writing, traveling, and spending time with grandchildren and my wife, Rita.